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The Technical Efficiency of Earthquake Medical Rapid Response Teams Following Disasters: The Case of the 2010 Yushu Earthquake in China

Author

Listed:
  • Xu Liu

    (Department of Military Health Management, College of Military Health Management, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Bihan Tang

    (Department of Military Health Management, College of Military Health Management, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Hongyang Yang

    (Department of Medical Affairs, Second Artillery General Hospital of Chinese People’s Liberation Army, Beijing 100088, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Yuan Liu

    (Department of Military Health Management, College of Military Health Management, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China)

  • Chen Xue

    (Department of Military Health Management, College of Military Health Management, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China)

  • Lulu Zhang

    (Department of Military Health Management, College of Military Health Management, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China)

Abstract

Purpose : Performance assessments of earthquake medical rapid response teams (EMRRTs), particularly the first responders deployed to the hardest hit areas following major earthquakes, should consider efficient and effective use of resources. This study assesses the daily technical efficiency of EMRRTs in the emergency period immediately following the 2010 Yushu earthquake in China. Methods : Data on EMRRTs were obtained from official daily reports of the general headquarters for Yushu earthquake relief, the emergency office of the National Ministry of Health, and the Health Department of Qinghai Province, for a sample of data on 15 EMRRTs over 62 days. Data envelopment analysis was used to examine the technical efficiency in a constant returns to scale model, a variable returns to scale model, and the scale efficiency of EMRRTs. Tobit regression was applied to analyze the effects of corresponding influencing factors. Results : The average technical efficiency scores under constant returns to scale, variable returns to scale, and the scale efficiency scores of the 62 units of analysis were 77.95%, 89.00%, and 87.47%, respectively. The staff-to-bed ratio was significantly related to global technical efficiency. The date of rescue was significantly related to pure technical efficiency. The type of institution to which an EMRRT belonged and the staff-to-bed ratio were significantly related to scale efficiency. Conclusions : This study provides evidence that supports improvements to EMRRT efficiency and serves as a reference for earthquake emergency medical rapid assistance leaders and teams.

Suggested Citation

  • Xu Liu & Bihan Tang & Hongyang Yang & Yuan Liu & Chen Xue & Lulu Zhang, 2015. "The Technical Efficiency of Earthquake Medical Rapid Response Teams Following Disasters: The Case of the 2010 Yushu Earthquake in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:12:p:14991-15399:d:59944
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xiaohui Su & Shurui Ma & Xiaokang Qiu & Jiabin Shi & Xiaodong Zhang & Feixiang Chen, 2021. "Microblog Topic-Words Detection Model for Earthquake Emergency Responses Based on Information Classification Hierarchy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-20, July.

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